Even though Apple TV+ is seen as the king of science fiction, these two streaming services actually have a better selection of sci-fi shows. There’s a long list of the best science fiction shows on Apple TV+, and the streamer has produced some true modern classics. From Severance to Silo, Apple TV+ has earned a reputation for itself as one of the best streamers for sci-fi fans.
Many of Apple TV+’s upcoming shows, like Neuromancer, should continue that trend. Even as Apple TV+ continues its dominance of original sci-fi shows, however, two of its competitors are still beating it at the genre at large. Those competitors are Prime Video and Hulu, and they have a much more robust catalog of science fiction shows than Apple TV+.
Hulu & Prime Video Have Far More Classic Sci-Fi Shows Than Apple TV+
Unlike Apple TV+, Prime Video and Hulu are actually better streaming services for science fiction fans. This is partly because both of the streamers have their own fantastic original shows. Prime Video has Outer Range, Fallout, The Expanse, and more. Hulu and Disney+ have, combined, Andor, Alien: Earth, The Handmaid’s Tale, and several others.
What’s more important in distinguishing Hulu and Prime Video as better than Apple TV+ in terms of sci-fi, however, is their backlogs. Unlike Apple TV+, Prime Video and Hulu have enormous catalogs of classic science fiction television shows. Hulu has shows like Firefly, The X-Files, Futurama, Devs, and more. Prime Video has Farscape, Heroes, Stargate SG-1, and more.
New TV shows and streaming originals are obviously more popular and more profitable, but older, more classic sci-fi shows never go out of style. Hulu and Prime Video offer a much wider range of shows from earlier in the sci-fi genre’s history, and Apple TV+ simply can’t compete. If you still have some of the best sci-fi shows of all time to check off your watchlist or re-watchlist, Hulu and Prime Video are the best options for you.
Apple TV+ Has A Remarkably Sparse Sci-Fi Backlog
The sheer difference in the older shows Hulu and Prime Video offer compared to Apple TV+ also made one thing stand out to me: Apple TV+ has a remarkably sparse catalog of older shows. As previously mentioned, the streamer has made a huge name for itself among the sci-fi genre with its originals. However, aside from those shows, it offers almost nothing in the way of classic series.
Apple TV+’s focus on original shows is a core part of its business model. Rather than paying for licensing to different companies, Apple TV+ spends its money on new shows and movies that it can own outright. It’s a valid and clearly successful model, but it’s also holding Apple TV+ back from truly dominating in the science fiction genre.
